Very Crowded Mountain

White-winged Dove familial love

There was a huge number of teenagers on the mountain this morning, mostly boys.  I was surprised that they were noticeably well behaved.  Becca and I ran into Jimmy about half a mile from our car and we talked for about fifteen minutes.  He said that a deputy sheriff had brought a bunch of at-risk youth out to Tortugas, and that this particular deputy seems to do it quite often.  My hat's off to him.  That's the kind of dedication that can have an important impact on these kids' lives in the future.

Adolescent (left) and mother with blue eyeshadow

Both of us taking a Yucca shade break

Looking across a hot Chihuahuan Desert at the Organ Mountains

Another time-out

It's as hot as it seems

"Helping-hand" Yucca shadow